November 1: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pledged support for mitigating the impacts of climate change in Nepal.    

Guterres who arrived at the Annapurna Base Camp on Tuesday morning during his-four-day visit to Nepal acknowledged that climate change caused by developed and industrialized nations has had adverse implications in Nepal which has no significant role in causing it. Stating that global warming, a key aspects of climate change, has led to a rising level of snow melting, resulting in more incidences of landslides and floods.    

Calling upon the rich and industrial nations to scale up the implementation of climate change coping strategies, he urged them to assist Nepal its efforts to cope with the impact of climate change.    

The UN Secretary-General arrived at the ABC on a Nepalese Army helicopter. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by local officials including Annapurna Rural Municipality chair Bishnu Bahadur KC, Chhomrong Tourism Committee office-bearers and local tourism entrepreneurs. He was accompanied by his members in his entourage.

World can learn much from Nepal: UN Secretary General   

Upon returning to Kathmandu after visiting Annapurna and Lumbini on Tuesday, UN Secretary General Guterres said the world could learn much from Nepal in responding to multiple crises.    

Addressing the federal parliaments on Tuesday, Guterres said, "As geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous. Smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers. And climate catastrophe is accelerating with a deadly force."    

According to him, other countries can learn much from Nepal in responding to such crises.    

Similarly, he viewed Nepal is a promoter of peace, a champion of multilateralism, and a staunch supporter of sustainable development and climate action.    

"Nestled between two great powers, you have forged your own path to safeguard your sovereignty and independence. And your journey over the past twenty years has been wonderful to see," he said, adding that a new republic with a new Constitution has the UN Charter at its heart.    

He lauded Nepal, saying it was quick to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals, and is making progress on many of them. "Your country has successfully calmed the storms of conflict and moved from war to peace. A process the United Nations has been proud to support," he shared.    

Nepal's dynamic story of progress continues today, the UN Secretary General viewed, adding that Nepal's graduation from Least Developed Country status is imminent. The UN is committed to supporting a smooth transition, he vowed.     

The UN secretary general will wrap up his four-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday. -- RSS